Sanding apparatus for railway-cars



A v@ d m F. RDWE.

SANDIIIG APPARATUS FDR RAILWAY CARS.

(Application filed July 30, 1897.)

(lo Model.)

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FFlCEt FRANK Rowe, oF novER, Nnw JERSEY.

`SANDING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Iletters Patent No. 609,299, dated August 16, 1898.

Application filed July 30, 1897. Serial No. 646,519. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern: s

Beit known that I, FRANK ROWE, of Dover, in the county of Morris and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sanding Apparatus for Railway-Gars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and Aexact description of the invention,such as will en able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the saine. Y i

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in sanding devices for railway-cars. f

The invention `has for its object the production of simple, inexpensive, and highlyefficient mechanism adapted to be'automatically operated by the air-brake apparatus of a railway-train, whereby sand will be distributed in front of the Wheels of each cartruck of said train, thereby quickly checking the momentum of the latter.

The invention is more particularly designed to be operated upon the emergencyapplication of the air-brake apparatus.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse view of the sand box or reservoir. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modification.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a cylinder having end heads o, provided with stuffing-boxes a', through which are extended the rods a2 of pistons a3, the latter fitting snugly within saidcylinder.

B is a chamber formed'by al casing b and communicating through ports b with the interior of chamber A, saidl chamber` lbeing provided with a cylindrical extension or-dome h2, which is covered by a cap b4, removably `secured thereto by any suitable means.

From the interior of chamber A leads a pipe b5, which communicates withthe train-pipe (not shown) of the air-brake apparatus, whereby pistons as are normally kept l separated and in the ends of cylinder A by the usual working air-pressure in the trai-n-pipe, a coilspring C serving to aid in maintaining said pistons in said separated positions. The inner ends h6 of the rodsa2 project beyond pistons a3 a short distance, as at 57.

The cap h4 is provided with an upper cylindrical portion d, having an interior valve-seat d', against which fis designed to fit a valve d2, adjustably mountedupon a threaded portion dsof a rod D.` Said rod is extended downwardly through an opening c in cap-plate e', which latter is removablysecured to a casing E, extending upwardly from cylinder A into the dome b2, said casing having an outlet-port c2, leading to the outer atmosphere. Escape of air through said portduring theoperation of the apparatus is prevented ,by means of a valve e3, mounted on rod` D and adapted to it against a seat e4, formed in the interior of casing E.

The rod D-is normally held elevated with valve d2 against its seat by means of a coilspring F, resting at its lower end against cap plate e', the tension of said spring being regulated by means of a jam-nut and washerf, working on the threaded portion of rod D. The lower end of the latter is also extended through the bottom of casing E into a port or chamber f', formed in the casing A, a piston f2 being adj ustably Asecured thereon, whereby any air-pressure within cylinder A will tend to aid the spring F in keeping rod D elevated.

The pipe G, leading to the auxiliary reservoir, (not shown,) may be connected to the portion d of cap b4 by anysuitable means, the preferred form being a coupling g of the ordinary construction.

To the outer end of each rod o2 is connected the valve h of the sanding device H. The latter consists of a chamber h', secured to the car-frame by any suitable means and providedwith a reduced outlet h2, to which is removably secured a cylindrical casing h3,

having `a central longitudinal bore h4, in which said valve is adapted to reciprocate. The casing h3` is also provided with a vertical bore 725, coincident with outlet h2 and intersecting bore h4, thesame being provided with outlet branches It, leading to a point adjacent the car-wheels. Communication is established .between bore h5 and the branches 7L by means of a hole or opening k7, formed in valve h, whereby when pistons a3 are operated sand is allowed to pass from chamber 7L to the trackrails.

ICO

The operation is as follows: Cylinder'A vis l normally kept filled with air at the usual working pressure of the air-brake apparatus, thus keeping pistons d2 in the ends of said cylinder, and at the same time acting upon piston f2, serving, with the aid of spring F, to keep valve d2 against its seat d. When the pressure in the train-pipe is suddenly reduced, as in the emergency application of the brakes, the air rushes ont 0f cylinder A through pipe b5. As soon as the pressure within cylinder A, added to that of spring F, becomes less than the pressure in pipe G valve cl2 is automatically unseated and valve e3 simultaneously seated, permitting the air from pipe G to pass into chamber B and through ports b into chamber A, whereupon the pistons c3 are moved against the action of spring C, resulting in the operation of the valves of the sand-boxes and permitting sand to reach the track-rails adjacent the wheels of each truck. The valve e3 during this operation prevents escape of air to the outlet e2. It will be noted that the ends T of the rods d2 prevent the pistons as from moving over or closing the outlet to the train-pipe. As soon as the trainpipe is again charged to the working pressure the pressure in cylinder A, together with that of spring F, becomes greater than that in pipe G, whereupon the valves d2 and e3 are respectively automatically seated and unseated, allowing what air that may remain in chamber' B to pass out through the outlet e2 and causing the pistons a3 to automatically move back to their normal positions.

In Fig. 4L I have illustrated a modification of the apparatus for operating the sanding device. The same comprises a casing I, formed with two cylindrical chambers t, communicating with each other by means of a longitudinal slot 1l', formed in the divisionwall iX. In said casing are located two horseshoe-magnets i2, which must be shunt wound, the poles t4 of each magnet being located opposite each other, the poles t3 resting in f one chamber i, while the poles t4 rest in the other one of said chambers. The yokes i5 of each magnet are projected through slot t', and the operating rods or levers i for the sandboXes are connected direct thereto. In practice electricity is conducted to said magnets in any preferred manner, the poles of the latter being so wound as to normally repel each other. Said current is also passed through a suitable inverting-switch (not shown) prior to reaching said magnets, whereby when said switch is operated the currents around the magnets are changed, so that the poles of the latter are made to attract each other, thus effecting the operation of the sandboXes. If desired, a set-spring may be employed to prevent the attraction of the poles of the magnets from operating the sand-box until the current is sufficient in strength to overcome the tension of said spring.

The advantages of my invention are at once apparent to those skilled in the art to which it appertains. In the forms of sanding devices now in general use it is customary to deposit sand adjacent the wheels of the locomotive alone, with the result that the sand is soon ground into a powder and affords no resistance for the wheels of the succeeding cars. This difficulty I overcome by depositing the sand adjacent the car-wheels of each truck, and by this means a train can be quickly and readily brought to a standstill. My invention also possesses many advantages in point of simplicity, durability, and etliciency.

I claim as my inventionl. The hereindescribed sanding device, comprising a sand-reservoir having an outlet, a cylindrical casing connected thereto and provided with a longitudinal chamber and having a vertical bore coincident with said outlet, a valve working in said longitudinal chamber and adapted to close said bore, lateral branch pipes leading from said bore, and means adapted to automatically operate said valve, substantially as set forth.

2. The herein-described sanding apparatus, comprising a sand-reservoir having an outlet, a transverse member removably secured to said reservoir and provided with a longitudinal chamber and a vertical bore coincident with said outlet, said bore intersecting said chamber, a reciprocating valve working in said chamber, lateral branch pipes leading from said vertical bore, and means adapted to automatically operate said valve, substantially as set forth.

3. The herein-described sanding apparatus, comprising a sand-reservoir having an outlet, a transverse cylindrical casing connected thereto and having an interior chamber communicating with said outlet, a reciprocating valve Working in said chamber, a casing mounted adjacent said sand-reservoir, means for supplying air thereto, and a piston connected to said valve and adapted to be operated by the air-pressure within said cylinder, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with controlling means, of a casing, members connected to said controlling means and located within said casin g, means designed to cause said members to move away from each other, independent means designed to cause said members to move toward each other, and a valve constructed and arranged to be operated by airpressure in said casing to control said latter means, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination with controlling means, of a cylinder, pistons working therein andv connected to said controlling means, means for supplying air to said cylinder, whereby said pistons are normally held apart, a spring interposed between said pistons, a chamber communicating with said cylinder, means for supplying air thereto, and a valve designed to automatically control the -admission of air IOO IIO

opening,

to said chamber, said valve having a lower, piston-like stem designed to be acted upon by the air-pressure within said cylinder, substantially as set forth. 4

6. The combination with controlling means, of a cylinder, pistons working therein, and adapted to operate said controlling means, means for supplying air to said cylinder, whereby said pistons are normally held apart, a chamber having ports communicating with said cylinder and provided with an upper means for supplying air to said chalnber through said opening, and a valve adapted to automatically close said opening, and having a stem provided With a lower, piston-like end extending into an opening leading from said cylinder, substantially as set forth.

'7. The combination with controlling means, of a cylinder, pistons working therein, and adapted to operate said controlling means, means for supplying air to said cylinder, wherebysaid pistons are normally held apart, a chamber communicating with said cylinder and having an upper dome or extensioma capplate secured to the latter and having an opening therein, means for supplying air to said chamber through said opening, and a valve adapted to normally close the latter, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with controllin g means, of a cylinder, pistons working therein, and adapted to operate said controlling means, means for supplying air to said cylinder, whereby said pistons are normally held apart, a chamber communicating with said cylinder and having an upper dome or extension provided with an opening-therein, a valve adapted to normally close the same, and means for regulating the escape' of air from said chamber, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with controlling means, of a cylinder, pistons working therein, and adapted to operate said controlling means, means for supplying air to said cylinder, whereby said pistons are normally held apart, a chamber communicating with said cylinder `and having anupper dome or extension provided with an opening therein, a valve adapted to close said opening, meansfor supplying air to said chamber through said opening, a casing located in said dome or extension and having an escape-opening, and a valve adapted to automatically close said escapeopening when said former valve is unseated, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with controlling means, of a cylinder, pistons working therein, and adapted to operate said controlling means, means for supplying air to said cylinder, whereby said pistons are normally held apart, a chamber communicating with said cylinder and having an upper'opening, a valve adapted to normally close the same, a casing located in said chamber having an upper open end and an interior outlet-port, and a'valve adapted to automatically close said latter port when said former valve is unseated, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with controlling means, of a cylinder, pistons working therein, and adapted to operatesaid controlling means, means for supplying air to said cylinder, whereby said pistons are normally held apart, a chamber communicating with said cylinder and having an upper opening, a casing located in said chamber and having an outlet-port, a rod guided by said casing having valves adapted to cover both said upper opening and said outlet-port, and means for holding said rod normally elevated, substantially as set forth.

l2. The combination with controlling means, of a cylinder, pistons Working therein, and adapted to operate said controlling means,

means for supplying air to said cylinder,

whereby said pistons are normally held apart, a chamber communicating with said cylinder and having an upper opening, a casing located in said chamber and having an outlet-port, a rod guided by said casing and having a valve adj ustably secured to its upper end adapted IOO a chamber communicating with said cylinder i and having an upper opening, a casing located in said chamber and having an outlet-port, a rod guided by said casing and havingavalve adj ustably secured to its upper end and adapted to close said opening, a second valve rigidly secured to said rod and adapted to close said outlet-port, a spring adapted to keep said rod norm ally elevated, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with controlling means, of a cylinder, pistons working therein,l and adapted to operate said controlling means, means for supplying air to `said cylinder, whereby said pistons are normally held apart, a chamber communicating with said cylinder and having an upper opening, a casin g located in said chamber and having an outlet-port, a rod guided by said casing and extending through a port or chamber in the walls of' said cylinder, a piston secured to the lower end of said rod and working in said port or chamber, a valve adj ustably secured to the upper end of said rod and adapted to close said upper opening, asecond valve on said rod adapted to close said outlet-port, and a spring serving to hold said rod normally elevated, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination with a series of sand- IIO boxes each hav-ing an outlet, and a Valve specification in the presence of two subscribadapted to control the sanne, of a easing, ineining Witn esses.

bers adapted to reciprocate therein means for T l operating the saine, and rods connecting said FRAL K ROVE' 5 members and bhe valves of said sand-boxes, Witnesses: l

as and for the purpose set forth. RICHARD FITZHERBEM,V

In testimony whereof I have signed this THOMAS BAKER. 

